Willa Mae Ricker and Leon James 8/23/43

Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing.

~ Clive James

SATIN BALLROOM

The dancing weekend started with the last Satin Ballroom, and Lindy By The Sea was in large attendance. Jonathan Stout's Orchestra blew the ceiling off with his great players and wonderful charts. What were you doing at age 22? Jonathan, keep it up! Hilary wow'd the crowd with her wardrobe -- she changed vintage gowns every set. What an inspiration!

END OF SERIES PARTY

Our Sunday End-of-Series party was a blast, high energy, and super friendly. We had a great mix of people from all our classes, and for some of the newcomers -- well, it looks like ya got 'em hooked! Well done! Toward the end of the evening, a "Tag Jam" exploded. A great song came on (anyone remember the name?), and out of nowhere a jam circle formed. Two people went in, then the tag started. A girl tapped the girl out, then a boy tapped the boy out, then a girl tapped the girl, and, well, you get the picture. It seemed that no one was intimidated by this jam session, and so, like the "Steal Dance", we suspect this "Tap Jam" will become a signature dance for us.

DRESS-UP AT FEATURED CLASS
"BURN THE T-SHIRTS!"

And, finally, our featured class, Lindy Styling, ended their series with a special "Dress Up" night. The purpose was to demonstrate how clothing can actually influence your dancing. All the ladies wore dresses/skirts, and all the gentlemen wore shirts and ties -- looking wonderfully dapper. After a few dances, people described what they felt changed in their dancing, and everyone said that they paid more attention to their arms and legs, trying to get more styling in their dancing. Our favorite quote of the evening came when we asked the women what it was like dancing with men dressed up, Sandra cried out, "Wonderful! If I could burn all the t-shirts!!!!" The class broke up at that one. I'll have to admit, gentlemen, I'm on her side...

MORE LINDY STYLING

Since Lindy Styling was such a hit, we've decided to have it as our last featured class of 2003. Starting next Monday, join us for another series... Level 2 and up. See you there!

RAINY NITE -- KEEPS 'EM SWINGIN'

Thanks to everyone who showed up at the Rhythm Club last Wednesday (during the biggest Los Angeles rain) -- you are truly fan-atics. Thank you thank you. I know it's hard to do that "turn around" after work, and get over to the Rhythm Club each week and every time you do... just know that every time you walk through the door, you are helping to keep swing dancing alive. Thank you again!

STYLING CLASS - MUSICALITY NOTES UP

CLICK HERE: For all of you in the Lindy Styling class, and anyone else interested, all the "AABA" notes are up on the website .

NEW SERIES BEGINS NOVEMBER 23, 24, 25

Lindy Styling has been just too much fun not to continue. And there's still so much more to cover. If you weren't in the series, come along and join this new one! We'd love to have you along with us.

Each week we look at some archival dance clips, some modern swing dance clips, do some rhythm exercises, musicality exercises and work on concepts for opening out your dancing. It's been a great series so far. Don't miss this last series of 2003!

HOLIDAY GIFT CERTIFICATES!

Kelly's PlaceIf you are interested in "living the lifestyle", here's a site for you. Rattan-heaven. You can purchase anything from vintage rattan furniture to custom made for your specifications. Or just take a gander and dream! I actually have a set of Frankl myself (with a last name like Frank, it seems kind of appropriate, eh?) Thanks to our fireman, John, for sending this one along.

* Wondering
what the heck a "gate"is? This was a phrase popularized by 1940's comedian,
Jerry Colonna, who would holler it out every time he was introduced on the
Bob Hope radio program. It was a friendly salutation to a swing cat (dancer
or swing music enthusiast).

Our Swing Shift Rhythm Club (SSRC) is the volunteer arm of our local swing dance community. Through the SSRC, we visit senior homes, children hospitals, and entertain and dance at street fairs. The purpose of the club is to do some good deeds and promote the fun of swing dancing.

Anyone can join the club. The events are varied, and purely volunteer in nature. You'll get a notice through the SSRC Yahoo Group website of upcoming events, and you can chose which one(s) you'd like to attend.